Guild Wars Factions - Character Types

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We get a look at the two new character types along with a glance at the fresh look of the old guard.

By ArenaNet

Among the many new features that the Factions stand alone addition will bring to the Guild Wars franchise are two completely new character types: the Assassin and Ritualist. Both of these characters should provide new ways for old players to experience the game and more choice for those that have never stepped into ArenaNet's fantasy universe.

This morning, ArenaNet has provided us with our first look at these two new classes along with a look at some of the new armor and style that players will see in armor for the older classes like the Warrior and Mesmer. As you can see, much of what's new in Factions is heavily inspired by Asian culture and art.

So take a look through, check out the characters and glean what you can from the backgrounds and expect to see more about Guild Wars Factions hit the site later this week!

The Assassin

Exclusive to the continent of Cantha, the Assassin is a deadly combo of agility and double weapon damage. These characters can appear and disappear from combat, striking a heavy blow then retreating before an enemy can retaliate. They wear light-weight armor with lots of room for mobility, making it the ideal profession for those who value swiftness over brute force.

The challenge in designing the look for the assassin was in creating something that was both fresh and recognizable. Everyone has an image of what an assassin should look like, but rarely do those images agree. For the Guild Wars Assassin, weapons are a fashion statement, which is the way it ought to be if your job is delivering death.

The Factions Pre-Order package includes Dragon Fangs, a limited-edition weapon that makes Assassins more proficient at poisoning their enemies.

A cross between a necromancer and a monk, Ritualists use energies from the spirit realm to cast their spells. New arrivals to Cantha are frequently unnerved by these spellcasters. Ritualists appear to walk around blind, routinely covering their eyes and instead relying on an Inner Sight to find their way through the spirit world.

The bones of small animals are a common element in the garb worn by Ritualists. They claim the magic in once-live objects brings them closer to the spirits that once inhabited the physical flesh.

The Factions Pre-Order package also includes Spiritbinder, a limited-edition weapon that Ritualists can use when they commune with the spirit world.

The skills and expertise necessary to master the profession of warrior in Cantha are very similar to those necessary in any other part of the world. However, given the mercantile nature of this very metropolitan nation, the choices for armor are much wider. Each culture produces its own designs, which are fashioned with an eye toward defending against the specialized weapons of enemy factions.

The Ranger

The sprawling cities of Cantha have pushed aside much of the wilderness. The petrified forest and the Jade Sea remain the two largest tracts where a Ranger can hunt, track, or look for a new companion. Still, the cities do serve their purpose&#Array;namely in providing a place to trade furs and buy the necessary components to craft new armors and weapons. Hides and leathers are very popular among those in the Ranger profession. But the most prized of these materials are the shells of young turtles&#Array;strong yet pliable adding needed protection and the flexibility to fight on the run.

The designs here are representative of the nomadic Luxon culture. Draped cloth, beaded jewels, and shells are all elements commonly found in the fashions worn by those who live on the frozen Jade Sea.

The Necromancer

Death is death no matter where in the world it takes place. Those who worship the great god Grenth take on the appearance of one of his apostles, leaning toward the heavy leathers and spiky bits that give away one's true allegiance.

The design of the armor you see here was influenced heavily by the symbolism of Chinese horror&#Array;the dark side of Canthan culture.

The Mesmer

Always the life of the party, the Mesmer looks as good at a charity ball as she does on the battlefield. The designs she's wearing here are influenced by the Kurzicks, the serious and devoutly religious people who live in the Echovald Forest.

The Elementalist

Both beauty and brains, the new representation of the Elementalist will not disappoint. The designs for the new attire take their inspiration from the Luxons. These nomadic, gypsy-like people piece together whatever they can find, creating a somewhat eclectic look. Jade figures heavily into the ornamentation of this attire. As you can imagine, since they have a sea full of the stuff, jade comes cheap.

Monk

The five gods of Tyria have universal sway no matter what corner of the globe you reside in. So it would make sense that the practices of those most devoted to the teaching of these deities&#Array;the pious Monks&#Array;have the most similarities to their brothers and sisters on other continents. Like those in Lion's Arch and Ascalon City, the Monks in Cantha are partial to tattoos and woven cloth robes. The main differences in their apparel come in the beaded details and jade accoutrements.